I guess there was no real surprise to it but Sam Allardyce was hugely critical of Chico Flores after the Swans defender played his part in a red card for Andy Carroll as the Swans were beaten 2-0 at Upton Park.

The second half was still in its early stages when Chico and Carroll clashed close to the halfway line after an aerial challenge that saw Chico seemingly thrown off Carroll. Carroll's arm swung around and connected slightly with the top of Chico's head but the defender went down (to use the BT sport commentators comment 'as if shot by a Magnum 45') and Howard Webb reacted by showing Carroll a straight red card to reduce the home side to ten men.

It looked harsh at the time and probably looks harsh even more after watching the replays and with that in mind it was always going to attract criticism from Allardyce. Earlier this season at the Liberty Stadium the Hammers boss had laughed in the face of Chico after he play acted in front of the manager causing the defender to get up and confront him.

So the history was always there and that therefore meant that Allardyce was never going to hold back when asked about the incident after the game "I've just had a look at it and from our point of view I can't see why Howard has decided to give him a red card.

"His arm's gone over the top of his head and while his arm's swinging round, coming from a position where both players have tangled and are coming round to correct their balance, there were players running round to obscure his (Webb's) view.

"So he can't be absolutely certain of what's happened, except that Chico Flores is over-exaggerating, which is generally the norm for him unfortunately.

"To clutch his face and roll around, I think that's had a big influence on Howard's decision, thinking that it's caught him in the face when it hasn't at all."

Chico has been criticised by Swans fans for his play acting at times this season that does let him down and is cringeworthy to watch at times although you could easily argue that there was intent in the swinging arm today and it was interesting that the BT Sport commentators did believe that the referee called it right despite the reaction.

Photo: Action Images

Gretsch added 10:02 - Feb 3 Yeah Chico made a fool of himself, but if he had raised 6 inches more from kneeling he would have had it straight in the face, what would be the story then? Like a tackle with studs up, intent.
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